Bathroom appliance



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BATHROOM APPLIANCE Filed March 26, 1964 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent O 3,229,693 BATHROOM APPLIANCE Harold B. Lloyd,2037 S. Cedar St., Sioux City, Iowa Filed Mar. 26, 1964, Ser. No.355,534 18 Claims. (Cl. 12S-229) This invention relates a a bathroomappliance and relates more particularly to a device to be utilized inconjunction with a nozzle means or a syringe or the like which isadapted to be attached to a bathroom faucet and employed for the purposeof giving douches, enemas or the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a bathroomappliance which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable,comfortable, eflicient and safe in use, and relatively inexpensive tomanufacture, utilize and maintain.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a bathroomappliance which in addition to its utilization in douches and enemas,will be helpful in the treatment of diverticulitis, prostatitus,cystitis, hemorrhoids and the like.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a device of thetype described which is compact, portable, lightweight and attractive.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a bathroomappliance which will deliver Water from a source of the same such as thebath tub or sink faucet at a desired temperature and rate of ow to anozzle means or the like in an extremely short time.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a bathroom applianceincluding a safety device through which the water from the faucet mustpass before introduction into the body of the user, the device includingmeans directly responsive to the temperature of the Water to break thefluid connection between the source of the water and the nozzle meanswhen the temperature of the water increases to an uncomfortable orundesirable degree.

A further object of the instant invention is the provision of a uniqueconstruction for the water temperature control device which providessealing engagement between the various portions of the same Without thenecessity of gaskets or the like.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means within thetemperature responsive device to preclude feed back of water in theevent of a vacuum in the source.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a device ofthe type described further including, in combination, means for carryinga soluble additive such as soap or a medicament which will be intimatelymixed with the water being utilized in a desired quantity.

A further object of this invention is to provide a specially designednozzle means for either rectal or vaginal application which is easierand more comfortable to use.

Other and further objects reside in the combination of elements,arrangement of parts and features of construction.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed outas the description of the invention proceeds and as shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing the appliance of the instantinvention in position for use in a bathroom;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through one form of watertemperature control device to be utilized in conjunction with theinstant appliance, one means for maintaining a soluble additivetherewithin being shown attached to the bottom member thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially online 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

lFIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through ice a modifiedbottom member showing an alternate means for securing a soluble additivetherewithin;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing another alternativesoluble additive holding means;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view through theupper portion of the container of the temperature control device showinga modified water feed back check valve means;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational View through one form of rectal nozzlemeans for use with the appliance of the instant inventive concept,certain portions being broken away for illustrative clarity;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view thereof taken substantially on line8 8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of a modified nozzle means for bothrectal and vaginal use;

FIGURE 10 is an end elevational view thereof taken substantially on line10-10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGUR-E 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view t-aken substantially online 11-11 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of a rectal slip pipe for use 'whenthe sphincter muscles a-re too strong for utilization of the nozzlemeans of either FIGURES 7 or 9;

yFIGURE 13 is a top plan view of a conventional toilet seat havingsecured thereto means for removably holding a nozzle means used inconjunction with the appliance of the instant invention; and

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially online -14-14 of FIGURE 13.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in general and more particularly to FIGURE1, there is generally indicated at a conventional bath tub having afaucet 22 and a handle means 24, Iand a conventional ytoilet 26 having awater box `28 and a toilet seat 30. The appliance of the instantinvention is designated generally by the reference numeral 32 andcomprises basically -a flexible tube 34 carrying a nozzle means 36 atone end of the same and being connected at its opposite end to altemperature control device A38 secured to the water faucet 22. Asuction cup 40 carrying a finger 42 is secured to the top of the waterbox 28 and is utilized to support the flexible tube 34 in a convenientposition.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 2 and 3, the. temperature controldevice 38 is comprised basically of a container 44 having a top member46 and a bottom member 48, the top member 46 including an inlet means 50defined by an upstanding threaded or roughened tubular member 52 securedto a resilient conical c-onnector means 54 adapted to be removablyattached to any conventional faucet such as the faucet 22 on the ybathtub 20 or a faucet on a sink (not shown) or the like, and also carriesan outlet means 56 in the form of a tubular member securable in anyconventional 4manner to the flexible tube y34. The positioning andarrangement of the outlet means 56 has no-t been found to -be critical,but the positioning of .the inlet means 50 -is advantageously arrangedas sho-wn in FIGURE 2 to provide communication of the water with thecontainer 44 directly above a temperature responsive means 58 to insureimmediate response to a change in temperature of the water for apurpose, and in a manner, to be explained in more detail hereinafter.The top and bottom members 46, `4S of the container 44 lare hingedlysecured to each other by an eye 60 carried by thetopmember 46 and a hook62 carried by the bottom member 48 or by other conventional hinge means.The top member 46 includes an outwardly flaring interior peripheralsurface 64 on its bottom which comates with an inwardly beveled exteriorperipheral surface 66 on the 'bottom member 48 for sealing engagementbetween these two parts of the container 44 without the necessity ofgaskets or the like. A ledge 67 limits the relative movement of said topand bottom members 46, 48 with respect to each other to prevent tootight a seal which might stick and prevent immediate opening of thecontainer. It will ybe understood that Ithe ledge 67 could be modiiiedby including only segments of the same or small buttons to stop therelative movement of an optimum sealing engagement.

The container 44 is normally maintained in a closed position wherein aHuid connection -is afforded between the source of water at the faucet22 and the nozzle means 36 by a latch means designated generally at 68and including a first latch member 70 secured to the top member 46 ofthecontainer 44 by screws or the like 72 and having portions deiining anaperture 74 therethrough, and a second latch member 76 including aresilient element secured by screws or the l-ike 78 to the bottom member48 of the container 44 and having an outstanding lug 80 lockinglyengaged in the portions deiining the aperture 74 as seen particularly inFIGURE 2.

The temperature responsive means 58 includes a small conventionalbellows-type thermostat 82 carried by a heavy gauge support bracket 84secured by screw means 86 to the top member 46 of the container 44, thesupport bracket 84 and the iirst latch member 70 being integral ifdesired. The bellows 82 is received within a retaining frame 88 whichlimits its expansion to preclude breaking of the same. A pressure member90 is threadably carried by the Ibellows 82 and may be axially adjustedin an obvious manner to engage the same against the lug 80 on theresilient second latch member 76 at a predetermined expansion of thebellows 82 and therefore at a predetermined temperature of water fromthe -inlet means 50, it being seen that the pressure member 90 actsdirectly to release the latch means 68 when the temperature of the waterincreases beyond a predetermined point. VDisengagement of the latchmeans 68 allows the bottom member 48 of the container 44 to drop bygravity about the hinge means 60, 62 to an opened position wherein thefluid connection between the source of water 22 and the nozzle means 36is broken, the water being dumped into the bath tub or the like therebypreventing unduly hot water from reaching the user of the appliance ofthe instant invention.

A check valve means is carried by the temperature con` trol device 38 toprevent feed back in the event that a vacuum is created in the source ofthe water, this check valve means being designated generally by thereference numeral 92 and includes a valve .seat 94 defined by portionsof the inlet means 50 interiorly of the container 44 and a buoyant ballmeans 96 carried in a perforated cage 98 and normally resting on aretainer pin 100 in spaced relationship to the valve seat 94, the ballmeans 96 sealingly engaging the valve seat 94 under the Iinfluence offeed back pressure. Vents 102 may be provided in the inlet means 50 toallow for overllow of water when the check valve means 92 is closed.

A modified form of check valve means is shown in FIGURE 6 wherein partssimilar to the embodiment of FIGURE 2 are designated by like referencecharacters followed by the suflix a. In this embodiment a valve memberin the form of a rubber cone or the like `104 is resiliently carried bya spring means 106 vformed of beryllium or the like riveted at l108 tothe top member 46a or to the first latch member 70a, the spring means106 normally urging the valve member '104 into sealing engagement withthe valve seat 94a as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6, water pressurefrom the source moving the valve member 104 to the full line position inFIGURE 6 for normal operation of the appliance of the instant invention.

The improved appliance of this invention includes means for carrying asoluble additive such as soap, douche powder, perfumed or otherwise,coolants, disinfectants, pallative compounds, antibiotics, and othermedicaments Ifor specilic ailments. One embodiment of such means isshown in FIGURE 2 at 110 as comprising a plurality of sharpened pegssecured to the bottom member 48 of the container 44 and adapted toimpale a cake of the soluble additive shown in dotted rlines at 112. Ifdesired, this cake may be incased in a soluble gelatin material whichwill :dissolve upon association with warm water passing through thetemperature responsive device 38. Alternately, the cake may be coveredby an impermeable material such as parchment, plastic or the like.having a plurality of different sized openings with sealing elementssuch as shown in dotted lines at 114 and 116 adhesive-1y securedthereover whereby one of the sealing elements may be selectively removedto provide a predetermined rate of dissolving of the additive.

A modied means for carrying a soluble additive is shown in FIGURE 4wherein parts similar to the embod-iment of FIGURE 2 are designated bylike reference characters followed by the suffix "b. In this embodimenta small peg 118 is secured to the interior of the bottom member 48b ofthe container 44h and receives thereover in snapping engagement apermeable bag shown in dotted lines at 120 carrying a predeterminedquantity of the soluble additive.

Another embodiment of the means for carrying the soluble additive isshown in FIGURE 5 wherein parts similar to the embodiment of FIGURE 2are designated by like reference characters followed by the suflix a Inthis embodiment a basket 122 having a plurality of spaced resilientmembers 124-is removably received over a resilient snap 126 secured inany conventionalmanner to the bottom member 48C of the container 44c.This basket 122 carries a cake of soluble additive such as shown at 112in FIGURE 2.

It will be understood that when the soluble additive in the embodimentsof FIGURES 2, 4 or 5 lis used up, it may be readily replaced by a newquantity of the same. In any of these instances, premeasured amounts ofthe material may be simply secured in place within the temperaturecontrol device 38 without the necessity of handling la powdered materialwhich is inconvenient and which may be readily added in incorrectquantities.

In FIGURES 7 and 8, one specially designed nozzle means for use with theappliance of the instant invention is shown particularly at 36a andcomprises basically an elongated hollow plastic element v130 having itsinserting end 132 scalloped or serrated or corrugated as if the samewere cut by a pinking shears or the like and then heat treated andquenched to form an extremely smooth shaped end which -is particularlycomfortableY for rectal use. It has been found that this particularnozzle means lends itself better to the contour of the anus and bypressing it comfortably against the anus makes it easier for water toenter the colon. The opposite end 134 may be secured in any desiredmanner to the plastic tube 34 connected to the temperature controldevice 38, an aluminum connector 136 being shown to illustrate one -formof connecting means.

At 36b in FIGURES 9-11, a modified nozzle means is shown having asimilarly shaped and treated inserting end 138 but including a pluralityof spaced apertures 140 adjacent the inserting end 138 to allow freeilow of water from the source lfor rectal or vaginal use. The end 142 ofthe nozzle means 36b is shown as threaded for comating withcorresponding threads on a plastic tube such as 34 (not shown).

In FIGURE 12 Ia more conventional form ofv nozzle means is shown at 36bin the form of a rectal slip pipe having a smooth curved inserting end'144 and a bulbous extension 146 for reception within the plastic tube34,

this type of nozzle means being more commonly used.v

when the rectal muscles are strong.

In FIGURES 13 and 14 a holding means is shown at means 148 includes apair of resilient lingers 150 carried by a plate 152 secured in anyconventional manner such as by screws 154, a suction cup, adhesive meansor the like to the underside of the toilet seat 30. The lingers 150extend upwardly adjacent the front portion of the periphery of theopening 156 in the Itoilet seat 30 and are spaced from each othersuiiiciently to snappingly engage the nozzle means 36 with the insertingend of the same extending downwardly into the toilet bowl.

The use and operation of the device of the instant invention will now beapparent. The inlet means 50 is connected to a source of water such `asthe faucet 22 of the bath tub 20 or the faucet in a sink or the likeafter the pressure member 90 has been adjusted to function at apredetermined temperature and after the top and bottom members 46, 48 ofthe container 44 have been secured in their closed position by engagingthe latch means 68. A selected nozzle means 36 is secured to theflexible tube 34, the particular nozzle means depending upon the use towhich the appliance is to be put. The nozzle means 36 is then snappinglyengaged in the holding means 148 carried by the toilet seat 30 and thehandle means 24 is opened to allow water to ow at a predetermined rateand temperature through the temperature control device 38, the flexibletube 34 and the nozzle means 36 into the toilet 26. The user then has ratime to walk back to the toilet and remove the nozzle means 36 for use,it being noted that it is not necessary to` disrobe to use the applianceof the instant invention. In the event that the temperature lof thewater exceeds the predetermined point, the thermostat means 82 expandsengaging the pressure member 90 directly against the lug 80 of thesecond latch member 76 pressing the same Ifree from its engagement withthe portions of the first latch member 70 defining the aperture 74thereby releasing the latch means 68 and allowing the bottom member 48of the container 44 to drop by gravity laround the hinge means 60, 62causing a break in the iiuid connection between the source of water andthe nozzle means, the water being dumped into the bath tub 20 or thelike. In the event of a vacuum in the water line, the check valve means92 or 92a of FIGURES 2 or `6 is closed to prevent feed back of thewater. Any of the means shown in FIG- URES 2, 4, or 5 may beincorporated into the bottom member 48 to provide a soluble additivewhich is selectively dissolved in the water as it passes through thetemperature control device 38. Upon completion of a colonic or vaginaltreatment, the nozzle means 36 is again engaged in the holding means 148and the handle means 24 is closed to stop the flow of Water.

A simple and quick way to utilize the device is to merely push theconnector means 54 of the temperature control device 338 directly ontothe faucet 22 after the water has been turned on and the temperature andrate of flow of the same preset.

The container 44, or at least one member of the same, is preferablytransparent to facilitate visually viewing the working parts therewithinand also to allow visual monitoring of the soluble additive to determinewhen it needs to be replaced.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved bathroomappliance which satisfies all of the objectives of the instantinvention, and others, including many advantages of great practicalutility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, andsince many modifications may be made of the embodiments shown, it is tobe understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely asillustrative and not in a limiting sense I claim:

1. A bathroom appliance comprising a flexible tube, a nozzle meanssecured to one end of said flexible tube, a water temperature controldevice secured to the other end of said flexible tube, said watertemperature control device including a container having a top membervand a bottom member, an inlet means connected to said top member andcommunicating with a source of water, hinge means securing said top andbottom members to each other for movement between a closed positionwherein a fluid connection is afforded by said container between thesource of water and said nozzle means, and an opened position whereinthe fluid connection between the source of water and said nozzle meansis broken, portions of said top and bottom members sealingly engagingeach other in said closed position, latch means including a rst latchmember carried by said top member and a second latch member carried bysaid bottom member, portions of said latch members lockingly engagingeach other to normally maintain said top and bottom members in saidclosed position, temperature responsive means carried within saidcontainer and having portions engaging one of said latch members forreleasing said latch means upon an increase in temperature beyond apredetermined point to allow said bottom member to drop by gravity tosaid opened position, said inlet means communicating with said containerdirectly above said temperature responsive means to insure immediateresponse to a change in temperature.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said portions of said top and bottommembers sealingly engaging each other include an outwardly flaringinterior peripheral surface on the bottom'of said top member, a comatinginwardly bevelled exterior peripheral surface on the top of said bottommember, and stop means to limit the relative movement of the top andbottom members with respect to each other for optimum sealingengagement.

3. A structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said irst latch memberincludes portions deiining an aperture therethrough, said second latchmember including a resilient element having an outstanding lug lockinglyengaging said portions defining said aperture from one side of saidiirst latch member when said top and bottom members are in said closedposition, said temperature responsive means including a pressure memberengaged directly against said lug through said aperture from theopposite side of said first latch member for releasing said latch meansupon an increase in temperature.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said pressure member is adjustablycarried by said temperature responsive means whereby the temperature atwhich said latch means is released may be varied.

5. The structure of claim 1 further including, in combination, checkvalve means carried by said container in operative engagement with saidinlet means, said check valve means preventing feed back of water to thesource' of same.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said check valve means includes aValve seat defined interiorly of said container by portions of saidinlet means, a buoyant ball means, a support cage normally carrying saidball means in spaced relationship to said valve seat, said ball meanssealingly engaging said valve seat under the influence of feed backpressure.

7. The structure of claim 5 wherein said check valve means includes avalve seat defined interiorly of said container by portions of saidinlet means, a valve member, and a spring means resiliently carryingsaid valve member and normally urging said valve member into sealingengagement with said valve seat.

8. The structure of claim 1 further including, in combination, means forcarrying a soluble additive within said container.

9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said last-mentioned means includes acake of said soluble additive and securing means fixing said cake to theinterior of said bottom member.

10. The /structure of claim 9 wherein said cake is covered by animpermeable wrapper, a plurality of differently sized sealing elementsbeing removably secured to said Wrapper, whereby one of said sealingelements may be selectively removed to provide a predetermined rate ofdissolving said additive.

11. The structure of claim 9 wherein said securing means includes atleast one sharpened peg secured to said bottom member, said cake beingimpaled on said peg.

12. The structure of claim 9 wherein said securing means includes abasket having a plurality of spaced linger members resiliently engagingsaid cake, and snap means lixing said basket to said bottom member.

13. The structure of claim 8 wherein said last-mentioned means includesa permeable bag carrying a quantity of said soluble additive material,and snap means fixing said bag to said bottom member.

14. The structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle means is to be utilizedwhen sitting on a toilet seat further including, in combination, meanscarried by the toilet seat for removably holding said nozzle means.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein said means carried by said toiletseat includes a pair of resilient lingers extending upwardly adjacentthe front portion of the periphery of the opening in the toiletseat,'said fingers being spaced sufliciently to snappingly engage saidnozzle means.

16. The structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle means is hollow andincludes an inserting end, said inserting end being scalloped and smoothfor comfort in use.

17. The structure of claim 16 further including, in combination, aplurality of spaced apertures deiined in said nozzle means adjacent saidinserting end.

18. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said top and bottommembers is transparent to permit visual access to the interior of saidcontainer when said top and bottom members are in said closed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,303,140 5/1919Yeiser 4-145 1,988,737 l/1935 Jauregui 4-7 2,954,046 9/1960 Lloyd128-229 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner'.

1. A BATHROOM APPLIANCE COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE TUBE, A NOZZLE MEANSSECURED TO ONE END OF SAID FLEXIBLE TUBE, A WATER TEMPERATURE CONTROLDEVICE SECURED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID FLEXIBLE TUBE, SAID WATERTEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE INCLUDING A CONTAINER HAVING A TOP MEMBER ANDA BOTTOM MEMBER, AN INLET MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID TOP MEMBER ANDCOMMUNICATING WITH A SOURCE OF WATER, HINGE MEANS SECURING SAID TOP ANDBOTTOM MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITIONWHEREIN A FLUID CONNECTION IS AFFORDED BY SAID CONTAINER BETWEEN THESOURCE OF WATER AND SAID NOZZLE MEANS, AND AN OPENED POSITION WHEREINTHE FLUID CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SOURCE OF WATER AND SAID NOZZLE MEANSIS BROKEN, PORTIONS OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM MEMBERS SEALINGLY ENGAGINGEACH OTHER IN SAID CLOSED POSITION, LATCH MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST LATCHMEMBER CARRIED BY SAID TOP MEMBER AND A SECOND LATCH MEMBER CARRIED BYSAID BOTTOM MEMBER, PORTIONS OF SAID LATCH MEMBERS LOCKINGLY ENGAGINGEACH OTHER TO NORMALLY MAINTAIN SAID TOP AND BOTTOM MEMBERS IN SAIDCLOSED POSITION, TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE MEANS CARRIED WITHIN SAIDCONTAINER AND HAVING PORTIONS ENGAGING ONE OF SAID LATCH MEMBERS FORRELEASING SAID LATCH MEANS UPON AN INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE BEYOND APREDETERMINED POINT TO ALLOW SAID BOTTOM MEMBER TO DROP BY GRAVITY TOSAID OPENED POSITION, SAID INLET MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CONTAINERDIRECTLY ABOVE SAID TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE MEANS TO INSURE IMMEDIATERESPONSE TO A CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE.